HILLERSDEN ESTATE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 216, 19 September 1911, Page 5

HILLERSDEN ESTATE.

CLOSER SETTLEMENT ADVOCA- -':. ;" • ■/ , ■; TED. y." ' ' }

A DEPUTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER.

[I'BESS; ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. The acquisition of, the Hillersden estate, Marlborouglt, for closer settlement was urged on the _Prime Minister to-day bjr a deputation representing the Wairau Land and Railway League. > - The deputation pointed out that the estate is held by trui&o &v, and consists of about 88,000 acres of freehold and a similar area of leasehold. It i<j situated about 25 miles froift Blenheim. MarlboiPough,vit was stated', is suffering from the fact that1 large .areas are held by very few people. About 365,000 acres were held by eleven people, and it was urged that the laws should be altered so as to limit the value of land held by one person to £50,000, after which, the amount of tax should be made much heavier than at present. Sir Joseph. Ward said that the High, price asked had prevented the* Government taking action in this as in some other cases, where the valuations of the owners were excessive. Some change in the system of acquiring land was necessary, to prevent people having to pay exorbitant prices. In the pjesent case he would have further inquiries made. -■. ',